Suspect in Morehouse Student Death Arrested

U.S. Marshalls have arrested 20-year-old Nicolas Ross Smith in Stockbridge in connection with the shooting of Morehouse College student, Joseph Gibbs.

Atlanta Police said Thursday that Gibbs might have been killed over drugs and Ross was charged with homicide and aggravated assault. The shooting happened on June 13.

“Joseph has always been a kid that stays out of trouble,” Cherae Branner, a childhood classmate of Gibbs from his hometown of Culver City, Calif., told the AJC earlier this week. “It’s just shocking, and it doesn’t add up.”

While behind the wheel of his car near the intersection of Parsons and Webster streets, Gibbs was shot multiple times and died before police arrived on the scene.

“We are looking for a second suspect,” Officer John Chafee said. “At this time, the shooting appears to be related to a possible drug transaction between the suspect and victim.”

Classmates and friends were in shock at Gibbs’ death and will attend his funeral on Saturday at Angelus Funeral Home in Los Angeles at 10 a.m. Interment will be held at the Holy Cross cemetery in Culver City.

On Friday, Gibbs would have turned 24 and was missing a few credit hours to graduate with his English degree.